ISIS Sanctuary: August 13, 2015
August 13, 2015 - Institute for the Study of War![](https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumb-wide/public/ISIS%20Sanctuary%2070812-01_1.png?itok=2bwdLphj)
Since the publication of ISW's last ISIS Sanctuary Map on June 19, 2015, ISIS has escalated attacks to fix opponents in order to protect its core terrain in Iraq and Syria. ISIS launched a failed offensive on Hasaka City to divert Syrian Kurdish forces after the Kurds seized terrain north of ISIS's stronghold of Raqqa. ISIS also escalated attacks against Syrian rebels north of Aleppo, likely in order to disrupt potential efforts by Turkey to establish an "ISIS-free" zone in the area.